Montmorency set for $16m post-election basketball development

ELTHAM Wildcats Basketball and the entire Montmorency community is set to benefit from world-class sporting facilities with an Andrews Labor Government re-election.

The Victorian Labor Government will invest more than $16 million to build the major new sporting complex at Montmorency Secondary College – expanding the current two-court stadium into a five-court stadium with additional seating, change rooms and meeting rooms.

A 1600-person show court will be a great benefit to the Wildcats, who have showcased their senior skills in this year’s Big V State Championship Men’s competition – securing a grand final series berth against Ringwood.

Eltham Wildcats Basketball and its clubs are set to benefit from the new complex, which will be open to the whole community and help ease the court shortage Victoria currently is facing.

Eltham Wildcats Basketball Association CEO Greg Jeffers said the election funding announcement was a great boost for the region and will provide further infrastructure to an already burgeoning basketball community.

“We’re very thankful to Vicki and her team for the announcement,” Jeffers said. “With investment by the Wildcats of $1.15m into upgrading the Eltham High School Stadium, growth of over 50 per cent at the junior ranks in the last six years and hosting the world’s largest junior tournament, which has almost doubled in size in the last 10 years, it is pleasing that the Government has seen that basketball in the north east is in desperate need of help.

“The benefit of a 1600-person show-court, underground parking and the additional three courts will put Montmorency Secondary College on the map.”

Member for Eltham Vicki Ward said the facility will be a boon to the region and provide additional facilities for both the school and the wider sporting community.

“Labor’s commitment is a slam dunk for local students and the next generation of local sporting stars,” Ward said. “Work is already underway, upgrading facilities and classrooms at Montmorency Secondary College.

“Now we’re looking to the next big project – a project that benefits the College and our entire community.”

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